The 

Christmas Story 



A Play In Four Scenes 

BY 

VIRGINIA A. GRISWOLD 



Copyright, 1921, By SAMUEL FRENCH 

Amateurs may present this play free 
of royalty. All other rights reserved. 

PRICE, 35 CENTS 



NEW YORK 

Samuel French 

Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 



LONDON 

Samuel French, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

Strand 



The Christmas Story 

A PLAY IN FOUR SCENES 

BY 
VIRGINIA A. GRISWOLD 



Copyright, 1921, by Samuel French 



Amateurs may present this play free 
of royalty. All other rights reserved. 



NEW YORK 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38TH STREET 



LONDON 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 SOUTHAMPTON STREET 

Strand 



^$ 



•^ 



M 



sA 



M -3 1922 



CI.D 59543 

TMP92-009137 



FOREWORD 

In dramatizing the Christmas Story, the effort 
has been made to use the Bible words as far as pos- 
sible. Also quotations and incidents have been in- 
troduced that would throw light on the life of the 
time and the thought of the people. 

Such is the universality of the appeal of the 
Christmas Story that it could be produced in the 
most elaborate manner of which the imagination 
could conceive; or it could be given in the simplest 
way possible, — and it would still be wonderful, for 
the thought is there: — the love of God to man in 
the gift of His Only Son as a little child. 

As an elaborate production in a large place with 
all facilities for scenery, properties, and costuming, 
it would be marvelous. Imagine the scenery for the 
hill-country of Judea under the magic spell of night 
in the tropics when the stars seem so near, and 
then the appearance of the supernatural light. Pic- 
ture the royal palace of a Roman provincial gover- 
nor in all its Eastern splendor. See the market- 
place at Bethlehem with its seething Oriental life 
of beggars and merchants, Pharisees and publicans, 
children and grown-ups ; and then the arrival of a 
caravan from the East, which was as exciting to a 
town in that day as the latest extra edition of a 
newspaper in our own time. And then enter into 
the lowly shelter connected with an overcrowded 
inn, where the Child, the Messiah, the King, lies 
cradled in a bed of straw in a manger. 

3 



4 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

With due regard to costuming, remember that 
the Jewish interpretation of the Second Command- 
ment allowed only circles, squares, or dots as orna- 
ments or patterns in their clothing, but that beautiful 
colors, such as scarlet, blue, and purple, were used. 
There was the tunic, and over that a sort of coat, 
and then the turban or covering on the head to pro- 
tect them from the sun. Sandals were worn on the 
feet. (Good ideas can be obtained from the famous 
Tissot pictures.) The shepherds wore garments of 
skins, while Herod wore royal robes, and his cour- 
tiers, the Roman toga. 

On the other hand, the simplest presentation of 
the Christmas ("The Mass of the Anointed One") 
would be wonderful, for it is a spiritual drama. 
Its theme is the redemption of the world through 
love by the means of the most helpless, and yet the 
most powerful thing in the world, a little child. 
Its stage is the human heart. 

A platform, an armchair for Herod's throne, an 
improvised manger or cradle, and the real desire 
of a community, children and adults, to perform the 
Christmas Story in all sincerity — these are necessary. 

For costuming, sheets, either plain, or with bor- 
ders of gingham, can be draped to represent the 
flowing garments of the East. Turbans can be im- 
provised. And burlap bags with holes cut for neck 
and arms can be used for the shepherds. Gay- 
colored cretonne would do for Herod, and white 
cheesecloth for the angels. 

Of course, any degree of elaboration between the 
two extremes is possible. 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

Scene I — Shepherds in the field. 
Scene II — Court of Herod. 
Scene III — Market-place in Bethlehem. 
Scene IV — Adoration at the Manger. 

CHARACTERS 

Five Shepherds — or more 

Angel 

Angel Host 

Herod 

Six Attendants— or more 

Singer 

Four Dancing Maidens 

Two Chief Priests 

Two Scribes 

Three Wise Men 

Ten Boys— two with pipes > or more 

Ten Girls > 

Lame Beggar 

Blind Beggar 

Matthew, tax collector 

Pharisee 

Publican 

Populace 

Mary 

Joseph 

Simeon 

Anna 

5 



SCENE I 

A FIELD IN THE HILL-COUNTRY OF JUDEA 

Scene I : A field in the hill-country of Jndea. The 
shepherds are watching their flocks by night. 
Some are sitting. Some are half -re dining as 
they look npzvard to the stars which have been 
their teachers for generations. At times they 
discuss political conditions, or topics of the day. 
Or again, they recall the prophecies or the law, 
which have been drilled into every Hebrew 
child from his earliest recollection. At other 
times they join spontaneously in those wonder- 
ful chants which they have heard in the temple 
service. 

Shepherds. (Singing) 

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, 
Make his paths straight." 

First Shepherd. (Looking up) How bright 
the stars are to-night. Surely, the heavens declare 
the glory of God. How many there are ! Hast ever 
tried to count them, Reuben? 

Second Shepherd. 'Twere impossible, Judah. 
Dost remember how Abraham tried to count them, 
and he couldn't? What a wonderful heritage we 
have! 

7 



8 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

Third Shepherd. Yonder is Orion, and the 
Pleiades. 

Fourth Shepherd. Aye, and the Great Dipper. 
Look, Reuben! Yonder is a star I do not remem- 
ber. 

First Shepherd. Dost remember the prophecy 
of Moses? "There shall come a star out of Jacob, 
and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel." 

Second Shepherd. Yes, Judah, and the words 
of Isaiah, too — "The people that walked in darkness 
have seen a great light, they that dwell in the land of 
the shadow of death, upon them hath the light 
shined." 

Third Shepherd. I love to think of it! And 
then the rest of it, "For unto us a child is born, unto 
us a son is given ; and the government shall be upon 
his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonder- 
ful Counsellor, The Mighty God, Everlasting 
Father, The Prince of Peace." 

Aye, we need such a King, for Herod is cruel and 
makes life intolerable for us; and Caesar, his master, 
cares naught for us but to tax us to the utmost. 

Fourth Shepherd. But look, shepherds, the 
bright star grows brighter! Can it be that the 
Great Light will shine upon us? 

Old Shepherd. In all the years I've tended 
my flocks, I ne'er saw that star before ! 

Second Shepherd. Nor I, and it's fifteen years 
now that I've watched the stars o' nights. 

Third Shepherd. Watching sheep gives a man 
time to think and to learn. 

Fourth Shepherd. Aye, and to learn of God. 
Thinkest thou, Reuben, that the Messiah will ever 
come? 

First Shepherd. Isaiah says he will. 

Second Shepherd. Hast heard that a caravan 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 9 

passed this way to-day going from Jerusalem to 
Damascus ? 

Third Shepherd. Aye ? What's the news ? 

Fourth Shepherd. There's a decree gone out 
from Caesar Augustus that all the world shall be en- 
rolled. And the governor of Syria has ordered that 
all the Hebrews must gather in the cities of their 
fathers. 

First Shepherd. 'Tis to tax us the more! All 
the world belongs to Rome! Will they never have 
enough, but they must take our very life blood? 

Second Shepherd. Oh, if we had a king of our 
own! 

Third Shepherd. Then had Herod best beware 
lest he lose his throne over us ! 

(Singing of Angels. A great light as Angel 
appears.) 

First Shepherd. Save us ! 

Second Shepherd. Have mercy upon us! 

Third Shepherd. Spare us, good Lord ! 

Angel. Be not afraid ; for behold I bring you 
good tidings of great joy which shall be to all peo- 
ple: for there is born to you this day in the city of 
David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And 
this the sign unto you : Ye shall find the babe 
wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a man- 
ger. 

(Angel-host singing.) 

Glory to God in the highest, 

And on earth peace among men in whom he is well 
pleased. 

( Angels vanish. Darkness of night again. Shep- 
herds, dazed, look at each other in consterna- 
tion.) 



io THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

First Shepherd. "What thinkest thou? 

Second Shepherd. Can it be true? 

Third Shepherd. Messiah! 

Fourth Shepherd. Oh, if it only were! 

First Shepherd. Let us now go even unto Beth- 
lehem, the city of David, and see this thing which is 
come to pass, which the Lord hath made known 
unto us. 

All. Aye, we will. 

Second Shepherd. Let us hasten. 

(Exeunt.) 



SCENE II 

THE COURT OF HEROD 

Scene II : The Court of Herod. Herod is the 
representative of Roman government in the 
province, and is officially known as Tetrarch 
of Judea. He is surrounded by all the pomp 
and splendor of an Oriental ruler. As he is 
seated on his throne, slaves stand beside him 
and behind him, slowly zuielding long-handled 
fans. Guards stand before the throne at each 
side to protect him, and at each side of the en- 
trances. Roman courtiers and a few Jewish 
retainers are in groups about the room, ready 
to listen to what Herod may have to say, or to 
witness whatever entertainment is provided. 
Perhaps they have just come out from a ban- 
quet. There is much ceremony about every- 
thing that is done. An attendant enters with 
a goblet on a salver. He salaams before mount- 
ing the throne to offer it. Herod drinks. The 
attendant exits. Another attendant enters from 
Left, and with much ceremony announces a 
singer, such as might correspond with the court 
fool or entertainer of Shakespeare's time. 
When the singer has finished and disappeared, 
Herod speaks — he is bored: 

Herod. I am weary. Give me music. Com- 
mand the dancing- maidens to appear. 

ii 



12 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

(The music plays. The attendant exits. In a mo- 
ment or so, the maidens come dancing in. The 
attendant re-enters. There may be one girl, 
there may be four girls, or it may be a ballet. 
They dance. Then one does a solo dance. The 
courtiers and Herod are pleased. As the dancer 
kneels in salaam before the throne, Herod rises 
and in approbation places a wreath on her head, 
which the attendant has ready. The maidens 
dance respectfully out. An attendant at the 
Right door admits two Chief Priests and 
Scribes of the Hebrews. Alzuays there is the 
obeisance in salaam before addressing Herod; 
and the respect fid retiring afterward.) 

First Chief Priest. Hail to thee, Herod, Te- 
trarch of Judea. 

Herod. Ha, Priest Levi, what news hast thou 
for me to-day ? 

Priest. Word has come even to the sanctuary of 
a rumor of a new savior among the Jews. 

Herod. A savior ! Darest thou say aught like 
that to me? Knowest thou not I could kill thee for 
treason ? 

Scribe. 'Tis even so, oh, Herod. The rumor is 
abroad. I know not if it be true. But our scriptures 
prophesy for us a Christ. 

(Enter Attendant.,) 

Attendant. Hail, oh, Herod! (Obeisance.) 

Herod. Speak, what is it ? 

Attendant. The populace is overwrought. Ex- 
citement is everywhere. Merchants from Damascus 
arrived in Jerusalem to-day, saying they met shep- 
herds in the hill-country of Judea who were travel- 
ing toward the city of David in search for a liber- 
ator of the Jews. 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 13 

Herod. Treason ! Treason ! The dogs ! Tis a 
bad time for such a rumor to be about, for the 
Jews are gathered together in all their cities for the 
census-taking. 

(Enter another Attendant. ) 

Attendant. Behold, three wise men from the 
East stand without with their camels. They ask, 
"Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" 

Herod. King of the Jews ! Huh ! There is no 
King of the Jews! But wait, I must entreat them 
mildly that they tell me all about it. Afterward I 
will find this child, and then there will be no King 
of the Jews, save I, and I alone ! Bid them enter. 

(Enter Three Wise Men.J 




RIGHT ,LEFT 

W t ise Men. Hail, oh, Herod. 

Herod. Speak. What seek ye ? 

First Wise Man. Where is He that is born King 
of the Jews ? For we have seen His star in the East 
and are come to worship Him. 



14 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

Herod. King of the Jews! I would I knew! 

Second Wise Man. Knowest thou nothing- of it, 
oh, Herod? We have journeyed far, ever follow- 
ing the star, and it brought us to Jerusalem, even to 
the royal palace which is fit place for a king. 

Herod. There has been no child born in this 
palace. Besides, a Roman is not a Jew, though Jews 
to-day are Roman citizens. 

Three Wise Men. Aye, King of the Jews is 
what the revelation told us. And we would fain 
worship Him. Lo, we have brought gifts also. 

Herod. Call hither the priests and scribes of the 
Hebrews, f Attendant calls them. Priests and 
Scribes advance.) What know ye, priests and 
scribes, of this Christ, King of the Jews? Where 
was He to be born? 

Scribe. In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is 
written by the prophet ; and thou Bethlehem, land of 
Judah, art in no wise least among the princes of 
Judah. For out of thee shall come forth a gover- 
nor which shall be shepherd of my people Israel. 

Herod. What time does this star appear? 

First Wise Man. As soon as darkness settles 
over the land, and the coolness of evening comes, 
then it shines brightly in the East. And when we 
are ready to move, it goes before us as a guide. 

FIerod. This babe is not here. But go ye, follow 
the star, and search out carefully concerning the 
young child ; and when ye have found Him, bring 
me word, that I may come and worship Him. 

(They depart.) 



SCENE III 

THE MARKET-PLACE IN BETHLEHEM 

Scene III : The Market-place in Bethlehem. Any 
number of children and any number of grown 
people can be brought into this scene. The door 
at the Center Back opens into the synagogue. 
The entrances Left and Right lead off into the 
narrow streets of the town. All about the 



DCOR 




STEPS TO SYNAGOGUE 




square are open shops of merchants with their 
goods displayed. A group of children are 
playing when the curtain rises. When it is well 
up, they stop breathlessly. Then comes the sug- 
gestion of something else to play from the First 
Boy. 



First Boy. 
First Girl. 



Let's play hop-scotch ! 
No, let's play wedding ! 
15 



16 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

, All. All right. 

Second Boy. I'll be the bridegroom. (Takes 
place l.J 

Girls. Deborah, you be the bride. ("Girls gather 
r. of c, Boys l. of c.) 

First Boy. I'll be the father-in-law. (Takes 
place l.c.) 

Second Girl. I'll be the mother-in-law. (Takes 
place R.cJ 

Third Boy. (To Third GirlJ You be my wife, 
Rebekah. 

Twelve Girls. We'll be the virgins. (They 
scatter to back of and R. of bride.) 

Twelve Boys. We'll be the attendants. (Scat- 
ter back of and l. of groom.) 

Others. We'll be the guests. (Arrange them- 
selves.) 

Two or Four Boys. (With pipes) We'll be the 
music ! 

("Boys with pipes take place down Right and play 
lively tune.) 

Fourth Boy. (To Third Boy J No, Rebekah is 
to be my wife. 

First Virgin. You should hold your lamp in 
your left hand. 

("Girls start disputing over lamps. One Girl pushes 
Deborah .) 

Deborah. (Angrily) No. I won't stand there. 
(Sudden thought.) And where is the priest? 

("Boys start disputing over which one shall be priest, 
work out of their places, and drop down tl.) 

Second Boy. (Disgusted at seeing all his at- 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY \j 

tendants drop away) Well, you boys are my at- 
tendants. 

Fifth Boy. I don't want to be. I want to be a 
guest and dance. 

(Boys with pipes stop playing.) 

Boys. (With pipes) What's the matter with all of 
you? Don't you know that a wedding should be 
gay? We've piped unto you and ye did not dance. 

First Boy. Well, let's play funeral, then. 

(Confusion. All start moving. Four Boys start 

wailing.) 

First Girl. Oh, don't! (Stops ears.) 

Others. Do stop! 

Second Boy. (When order has been restored) 
We wailed, and ye did not mourn. 

First Boy. We don't want to be sad. Let's play 
King's Court. I'll be the king! (Takes place 
down rJ 

Boys. We'll be your followers. (Fall in line be- 
hind king as he starts to march across stage to l.J 

Girls. And we'll be your handmaidens. (They 
dance before them and around them as they march 
toward l.) 

(King sits on top door-step down Left; Warriors 
group around him; Girls sit on ground all 
around them. As children go to side, Mer- 
chants appear at shops arranging goods. Two 
or three people come out of temple (Center). 
One stops to buy. Enter Blind Beggar and 
Lame Beggar l., leaning on each other. Lame 
one leads blind one to post at r. entrance of 
synagogue. Lame one hobbles down extreme 



18 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

Right and sits cross-legged. Both hold out 
hands for alms from passersby.) 

Beggars. Alms, for the love of God, alms ! 

(Jew with long curls entering drops coin to Lame 
Beggar. He passes across stage. Enter Tax 
Collector, Right; stops up r.c. at a shop.) 

First Boy. Yonder goes the tax collector, Mat- 
thew. Oh, how my father hates him. He says he 
is traitor to his own people because he takes their 
money for the Roman government. 

(Enter Pharisee r.) 

Pharisee. (Passing Beggars and Matthew, 
looks at them in disgust, and gathers his robes), 
around him) Thank God I am not as other men 
are, — extortioners, beggars, ignorant! (Stops in 
front of synagogue, as if to pray, looking up.) 

(Enter Publican, Left, crosses stage, drops coin in 
Lame Beggar's hand, then up to Blind Beggar ; 
stops and looks at them in compassion, and is 
standing back to back, almost, with the Phari- 
see, and facing doivn r. as he breathes his 
prayer.) 

Publican. (Shaking his head) God be merci- 
ful to me, a sinner ! 

(Other Populace, men and women, pass, going to 
shops, or synagogue, or simply crossing. Enter 
Shepherds r.J 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

POSITION OF CHARACTERS 



19 




First Shepherd. Kowest thou aught of the 
Savior, which is Christ the Lord ? 

(Interest of all who hear.) 

Pharisee. Oh, yes, the prophets tell of Him. 
Second Shepherd. But He is here in Bethlehem. 

(More crowd around.) 

Pharisee. Impossible ! 

Third Shepherd. 'Tis true. Angels appeared 
to us in the field, and told that He had been born in 
the city of David. 

Fourth Shepherd. And that we would find Him 
in a manger. 

Beggar. The Lord ! 

Publican. A Savior! 

(^Children all interested.) 

Second Boy. The Christ! Oh, here is a real 
king! 



2© THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

Citizen. There are so many strangers in Beth- 
lehem now. 

First Boy. (Coming forward) Why don't you 
go to the inns? Maybe they can tell you some- 
thing. 

Shepherds. Thanks, boy. Tis a good thought. 
We will seek until we find Him. 

(Exeunt Shepherds Left.) 

(People begin to quiet down a little and start barter- 
ing again, when one of the Boys looks off R., 
points, and cries, "Look, a caravan!" The zvord 
is passed along by each who hears it, "A cara- 
van!" one after the other, until there is a regu- 
lar hubbub of expectancy, and all are looking 
off r. Then enter the Three Wise Men, Right, 
in gorgeous robes. Silence falls on all. And 
then the question comes, like a thunderbolt, for 
it is what every Jew in his heart is wishing for.) 

First Wise Man. Where is He that is born 
King of the Jews? 

(Commotion. All are gasping in joy, "King of the 
Jews!" Silence again. The Pharisee is the 
doubter.) 

Pharisee. I know of no King of the Jews. 

Second Wise Man. (Nonplussed — but to the 
rescue of the First Wise Man ) We have seen His 
star in the East, and have followed it even to Beth- 
lehem. 

(Again commotion. The word is passed, "Star in 
the East!" Finally silence settles again. "We 
cannot tell." Then the Publican speaks:) 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 21 

Publican. Perhaps you may find the babe 
among the sojourners at the inns, for there is no 
such child among the townspeople. 

Third Wise Man. Thanks, friend! Let us try, 
for we would worship Him. 

First Wise Man. Let us go! 

(Exeunt Wise Men Left, amid cries of "May you 
find Him!" and "King of the Jews!") 



SCENE IV 

THE ADORATION 

Scene IV. The Adoration. Little is needed in 
this scene beside the manger, save what would 
help to suggest the humble lodging-place, for 
the Babe in the manger comes trailing clouds of 
glory from heaven to earth. And all who come 
into His presence cannot but feel the power 
which was from the beginning of the world, and 
which ever shall be. 

The manger is Left Center. Mary sits Right 
of it, Joseph stands Left of it. Both are watch- 
ing over it, as the curtain rises, and Angels, un- 
seen, are singing. When the song is finished, 
Mary seems almost to come out of a trance, 
and she sings her song of praise, 

Mary. (Sings): 

My soul doth magnify the Lord 

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior, 

For He hath looked upon the low estate of His hand- 
maiden ; 

For behold, from henceforth all generations shall 
call me blessed ; 

For He that is mighty hath done to me great things : 

And holy is His name. 

And His mercy is unto generations and generations 
on them that fear Him. 

He hath showed strength with His arm ; 
22 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 23 

He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of 

their heart ; 
He hath put down princes from their thrones, 
And hath exalted them of low degree. 
The hungry He hath filled with good things, 
And the rich He hath sent empty away ; 
He hath given help to Israel His servant, 
That He might remember mercy 
(As He spoke unto our fathers) 
Toward Abraham and his seed forever. 

Joseph. Mary, I am sorry this is not a better 
place. 

Mary. We are thankful for shelter, Joseph. 
And wherever God is, it is well. 

Joseph. Tis a beautiful child. 

Mary. 'Tis a holy child. 

Joseph. Pray God, we may be worthy of him. 
(Knock at door.) Who knocks at our door at this 
time of night? 

(Door opens. Enter Simeon and Anna.,) 

Welcome, Simeon, to our abode. I have seen 
thee in the Temple, and know of thy righteous- 
ness. And welcome to thee, Anna, prophetess of the 
most high God, thou bringest a blessing to our house. 

Simeon. Aye, Joseph. The Holy Spirit hath 
revealed it unto me, that I should not see death, until 
I had seen the Lord's Christ. I would see the child. 

Mary. Lo, here he is. 

(Simeon takes child in his arms.) 

Simeon : 

Now lettest thou thy servant depart, O Lord, 
According to thy word, in peace; 



24 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all 

peoples. 
A light for revelation to the Gentiles 
And the glory of thy people, Israel. 

(Returns child to manger. To Mary and Joseph J 

The Lord bless you and keep you ! 

(To MaryJ 

Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising 
of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken 
against ; yea, and a sword shall pierce through thine 
own soul ; that thoughts out of many hearts shall 
be revealed. 

Anna. Tis fourscore and four years, as a widow, 
I've served in the temple and prayed for the redemp- 
tion of Jerusalem. I thank God that mine eyes have 
seen the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ! 

(Knock. Joseph opens door, enter Shepherds.^ 

First Shepherd. Good even, sire. 'Tis an un- 
seemly hour to knock, but we seek the Christ, and 
have traveled far afoot from the hill-country where 
we tend our flocks. And all day we have sought in 
Bethlehem even until now. 

Joseph. Come in. 

Second Shepherd. An angel appeared to us by 
night in the field, praising God ; and the glory of the 
Lord shone round about him, and we were sore 
afraid. 

Joseph. Yes! 

Third Shepherd. But the angel said, Be not 
afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of ^reat 
joy which shall be to all people. 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY 25 

Fourth Shepherd. And then he told us that 
here in the city of David, was born a Savior, which 
is Christ the Lord. And that we should find him 
wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a man- 
ger. 

First Shepherd. Even as he spoke there ap- 
peared a multitude of the heavenly host singing, 
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace 
among men in whom he is well pleased." 

Mary. Tis wonderful! 

Second Shepherd. So we made haste to come 
to Bethlehem to see this thing which is come to pass. 

Joseph. Can all this be true? 

Simeon. This is the Savior, indeed! 

Joseph. Lo, here is the child in the manger, 
wrapped in swaddling clothes, even as the angel 
told. 

Shepherds. The Messiah is come, the hope of 
our people ! (Kneel.) 

(Knock. Shepherds move down l. Enter Three 
Wise Men r.J 

First Wise Man. Hail ! 

Joseph. Enter. 

Second Wise Man. Where is he that is born 
King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in 
the East, and are come to worship him. 

Joseph. King of the Jews? 

Third Wise Man. Aye, King of the Jews ! We 
have followed this star from the East to Jerusalem 
even to the palace of Herod. But the priests and 
scribes said that your scriptures named Bethlehem 
of Judea as his birthplace. And so we are come 
hither. 

First Wise Man. But God has warned us in a 
dream not to return to Herod, lest he hurt the young 



26 THE CHRISTMAS STORY 

child's life. So we shall go back to our own country 
another way. But the star even now stands over 
this house. 

Joseph. This is the young child, and this is Mary 
his mother. 

First Wise Man. Allelujah! 

Second Wise Man. Great is Jehovah ! 

Third Wise Man. Wonderful are his ways ! 

First Wise Man. Accept our gifts, O Lord, 
the best we could bring, gold, frankincense and 
myrrh. But more than that, accept our homage and 
our lives, O King ! 

(They kneel. Children file on and kneel. Popu- 
lace file on, and then Angels. Ensemble sing- 
ing 'Glory to God.") 

Final Tableau 

WINDOW 



tfWO* 



ANNA 



& 



4t& 



JOSEPH 



CHILDREN MANGER 



